IMPORTANCE AND PROBLEMS FACING DIAMOND MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa is the third world producer of diamond, the first is DRC and the second is the former USSR. Others are Botswana, Ghana, and Sierra Leone etc. Diamond is the hardest mineral. In South Africa mining began in 1871 at Kimberly. The methods involved in the mining process are placer method for alluvial diamond and shaft method for the diamond found in the deep ground. Diamond is used for making jewels, manufacturing the drilling bits, making cutting instruments like for cutting glass, diamond dust for polish. Places or areas where diamond is produced in South Africa are; i) Kimberly cape province ii) Transvaal iii) Port mus burg iv) Orange free states(Pretoria) Importance of diamond mining in South Africa i) Provision of employment opportunities not only in South Africa but also in other countries. ii) Development of social services. iii) Development of towns and cities e.g. Pretoria. iv) Increases the national income from its sales. Problems facing diamo...